Saturday, May 30 nearly 150 people participated in Part 2 of the Ed Poling Memorial HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope, walking or running 5K or 10K hikes on the C&O Canal towpath in and beyond Williamsport, MD to support programs of HARC. We had gorgeous weather, a beautiful route on the towpath, a welcoming community, many joyful spirits who had a great time, and a comfortable, welcoming host church at Zion Lutheran for our check-in and post-hike celebration lunch.
Combined with our May 16 Challenge Hike, the event raised more than $88,000 for Micah’s Backpack, the Refugee Welcome Network and other programs of HARC. This is thanks to the fundraising efforts of numerous participants with a a 2-1 match on all individual fundraising by the God’s Grace Fund. Fundraising continues through June 15 as we try to reach our goal of $95,000 ($2,333 more in fundraising to go with the match!)
To help us reach the goal, donate here to support a participant or donate here (choose HARC Hike) to make a general HARC Hike donation.
See pictures of the event on our Facebook page or in our Dropbox folder. There are tons of great photos!! You can see a handful of them below.
HARC would like to express our deep gratitude to the following for making this event successful:
- The fabulous HARC Hike Team: Ed Maloy, Beth Johnston, Deacon Sue Wert, Kelly Conrad, Ted Howe, Elizabeth Howe, Mary Means, Butch Eigenbrode (ARA), Kyle Powderly and Kathy Powderly
- Zion Lutheran Church in Williamsport – our host!
- The Antietam Radio Association (ARA) for their radio communications and many volunteers
- The God’s Grace Fund for their generous match
- Our Sponsors – see all sponsors here. Top sponsors include Columbia Gas/NiSource Foundation, First Christian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and The Poole Law Group.
- Churches/organizations who provided buses and (some) drivers for transportation: Christ’s Reformed Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Valley Grace Brethren, Girls, Inc., and Celebration Ministries
- MANY wonderful volunteers who helped on Hike days with food, hospitality, logistics, check-in, set-up, clean-up, photography, and more!
- MANY generous individuals who donated to support the cause!
